Category: Entertainment

Mariana Rosen brings her years of culinary experience to Hemet Mariana RosenStudents shown at first international cooking class being taught by Mariana Rosen at the Simpson Center. ■ By Dennis Fletcher / Contributed The popular international cooking class at the Simpson Center, taught last year by Mariana Rosen, has returned in a new and expansive form. Last year the monthly 2 1/2-hour classes focused on food primarily from Asia, mostly from China. Students learned in a hands-on environment how to cook popular Asian dishes from pot stickers to beef with broccoli, enjoyed eating them as a group, and then took the leftovers home. The format of the classes is ideal for (more…)

Pam FlumerfeltDean Simmons, known as “The Garth Guy,” thrilled the crowd with his astonishing replication of the look and sound of Garth Brooks. ■ By Susan Carrier / Contributed On Saturday, Jan. 4, the Historic Hemet Theatre launched the first in the new “Friday Nite Live!” concert series with a Tribute to Garth Brooks. Dean Simmons, known as “The Garth Guy,” thrilled the crowd with his astonishing replication of the look and sound of Garth Brooks. Hundreds of cheering fans were in the house, celebrating the unique combination of rock and roll and country music that has earned Brooks the title of best-selling solo album artist in the country. Two-steppers and (more…)

Photos by Bonita CumminsPatty Marquez stands amongst her precious home furnishings. ■ By Rusty Strait / Senior Reporter It’s easy to be drawn into Little Patty’s Home Decor, the used furniture shop at the corner of Florida Avenue and Harvard Street in downtown Hemet. The door opens into a wonderland of furnishings that have enjoyed the good graces of their former residences. Patty Marquez will greet you with a beaming smile that embraces you as a welcome. Patty greets her customers with a beaming smile at Little Patty’s Home Decor at the corner of Florida Avenue and Harvard Street in downtown Hemet. Marquez greeted this reporter like a friend who had (more…)

Cristina Montes Mateo set to perform at Crossroads Baptist Church cristinamontesmateo.comThis well-known harpist has won innumerable harp competitions, performed in world festivals and performed for the King and Queen of Spain. ■ By Ann Smith / Contributed Internationally known harpist extraordinaire Cristina Montes Mateo will be performing at Crossroads Baptist Church on Sunday, Jan. 13. This concert is sponsored by the Hemet Community Concert Association. If you have had the opportunity to attend any of HCCA’s concerts, you have come to expect a diversified and entertaining musical event. Photos by cristinamontesmateo.comThe concert on Jan. 13 is a unique opportunity to experience classical harp music in a local setting. Cristina Montes Mateo (more…)

Tribute Mania series launches with Bruno and the Hooligans www.brunomarstributeus.comThis amazing tribute band includes a high stepping male vocalist with the look, sound and moves of Bruno Mars and a very talented group of musicians. ■ Susan Carrier / Contributed On Saturday, Jan. 12, Bruno and the Hooligans will make their Hemet debut, performing their spectacular Tribute to Bruno Mars at the Historic Hemet Theatre. This show will be the first in Season One of the HHT 2019 Tribute Mania Concert Series. This amazing tribute band includes a high stepping male vocalist with the look, sound and moves of Bruno Mars and a very talented group of musicians. Together, they replicate (more…)

Photos by Soboba Band of Luiseño IndiansMembers of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department stepped up to help Santa deliver gifts for Soboba Tribal TANF families. From left, Deputy Antonio Soto, Marian Tortez, Virginia Duenaz, Deputy Trent Tully and Deputy Kelly Looney. ■ By Mike Hiles / Contributed When young members of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians’ Tribal TANF were asked to lend a hand with holiday crafts and games for youngsters whose parents were taking care of last-minute holiday preparations, about 20 of them stepped up to the task. In lieu of their regular Tribal Teen Night where they participate in structured, positive activities for Native youth from ages 12 (more…)

Courtesy of San Jacinto Unified School DistrictA million-dollar check is presented to the San Jacinto Unified School District to help fund the Soboba Aquatics Center at the high school. Joining in the groundbreaking ceremony on June 6 were School Board Member Deborah Rex, with her grandsons Jared and Logan Hollist; Sherry Smith, assistant superintendent of Educational Services; Jasmin Rubio, Board member; Matt Hixson, assistant superintendent of Personnel Services; Trica Ojeda, Board member; Seth Heeren, assistant superintendent of Business Services; Willie Hamilton, clerk of the Board; John Norman, Board president; Superintendent Diane Perez; and from the Soboba Tribal Council: Sergeant-at-arms Rose Salgado, Treasurer Kelli Hurtado and Vice Chairman Isaiah Vivanco. School district (more…)

Historic Hemet TheatreThe New Year’s Eve crowd excitedly participated in the traditional interactive viewing experience of Rocky Horror Picture Show ■ Susan Carrier / Contributed NEW YEAR’S REVIEW First Published: Jan. 4, 2018 As advertised, The Historic Hemet Theatre’s “Craziest New Year’s in Town,” was an over-the-top celebration where over 200 cult fans danced to “The Time Warp” during the annual New Year’s Eve showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show. Prop bags filled with squirt guns, toilet paper, noisemakers, playing cards, confetti and more were distributed at the door — all part of the fun for the 1975 cult classic film. Dozens of Rocky “virgins” came forward to have their forehead (more…)

Photos courtesy of Riverside County Animal ServicesThe Brummets pose for a photo with Officer Beck and the bearded dragon. ■ RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICE / Contributed NEW YEAR’S REVIEW First Published June 14, 2018 A couple in the Hemet area discovered a bearded dragon inside a package delivered to them on Wednesday June 6. Al and Chris Brummett ordered a bicycle from Walmart.com as a gift for one of their granddaughters. Mr. Brummett made the startling find after unboxing the bicycle. He was in the midst of his assemble job when he noticed a critter in the box staring back at him. “At first I freaked out because he (more…)

Photo by Pam FlumerfeltLead Singer Gregory Finsley and the band stunned the crowd with their dynamic performance, recreating the look, sound, and energy of the iconic Freddy Mercury and Queen. Queen Nation makes their way back to Hemet for show ■ BY SUSAN CARRIER / Contributed Queen fans were treated to an amazing tribute show on Saturday, Dec. 8, as Queen Nation made their long-awaited return to Hemet. Lead Singer Gregory Finsley and the band stunned the crowd with their dynamic performance, recreating the look, sound, and energy of the iconic Freddy Mercury and Queen. “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the new Queen movie in theatres was a topic of conversation throughout the auditorium. (more…)